Survivor

11 > "Care to join me for a run, Bolt?" ~Alessio

I tossed and turned in my bed unable to fall asleep. I turned once more before letting out a loud sigh and picking up my phone from the nightstand to check the time. 11:43 pm.

If I was street fighting right now I would've completed my third fight for the night. If I pushed my limits I would've had 4 fights down. I usually only did that when I pulled all nighters to earn extra cash. Especially when things got bad and I struggled to keep up with the numerous bills.

I unlocked my phone and scrolled mindlessly through Instagram occasionally liking a post here and there. Suddenly my phone began vibrating and I looked at the top of the phone to see an incoming call from Seb.

Plugging in my earphones I excepted the call. "Can't sleep?" His voice came from the other side as he spoke softly so that his mother wouldn't know he was up. I smiled slightly, "you know me too well."

I sighed softly feeling a little off. "C'mon, what's up?" He asked sensing my uneasiness.

"I don't know Bash, that's the thing I don't know. I was fine earlier when we did our homework together like old times and well..." I trailed off.

"Well...?" He asked slowly urging me to go on. Letting me know that he was there for me.

"I guess I'm just still settling in. I'm not used to this. All of it. There's so many people in this house and it's weird. I'm so used to it just being Mia and I."

"And other things as well." I continued. "Like I'm eating food that I didn't put on the table. I'm wearing clothing that I didn't buy with own money. I'm not busy. That's the problem. I'm so used of running around, doing as much work as I can. I'm so used of..."

"Surviving," he filled in, understanding me perfectly like always. "And now that you have time on your hands you're thinking."

"Yeah you right. It's just all along I was kept so busy. And I guess it was a good thing. It kept me away from my mind. I never had to find a way to distract myself from the fact that I'm not fine. I was just too busy to even give it a second thought. And now...now I have all the time in the world to ponder over everything." I breathed out shakily.

"You just gonna have to give it time and I know it isn't ideal but maybe...talk to one of them?" He suggested.

"I don't know....I don't want to burden them. I mean they've already taken both Mia and me in. What more can I ask for? We have food, a roof over our heads, education and the basics plus other things. I can't ask for more."

"Is it really asking for more though Gia? Is asking for someone to listen to you, asking for a lot? Someone that's your blood? Someone that's your family?"

"Blood makes you related Bash. Loyalty is what makes you family."

"I one hundred percent agree. Just know that no matter what I'm always here for you twinny." He said using the nickname that marked the beginning of our unbreakable bond. "Your mind is your worst enemy, but just remember, I'm your best friend. Never hesitate to ask for help in your battles."

I smiled at that. "Thanks bub." I called him, immediately lightening the mood. I heard Seb's groan from the other side and laughed quietly.

"Still with that terrible old name?" He asked and I could picture the defeat on his face. That alone was enough for me to laugh again and a battle of horrible nicknames was initiated.

We spoke till 1 am before finally crashing, neither of us cutting the call. The last thing I heard was the steady breathes of Seb as I fell asleep, for once not tormented by the usual night terrors that await.

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I woke up feeling highly pissed off. Must be the fact that it was 4am meaning I had only gotten 3 hours of sleep. I could hear movement and frowned at the sound.